He's got game, and Revolution want to know just how much

Charlie Rugg ran through the tunnel at Gillette Stadium two weeks ago with no illusions about pulling on a New England Revolution jersey one day.

Nevertheless, auditioning for the Revs' new youth development program and, in the end, being the only player from the city of Boston selected was a pretty cool experience for the lifelong Roslindale resident.

"I know the odds are pretty slim," the 17-year-old says of going pro.

Featuring youngsters from across New England, the Revs' Under-18 and Under-16 youth teams will compete against other regional teams at the US Soccer Development Academy this fall, and a select few will get a shot at the pros.

Major League Soccer launched the league-wide development effort last year in hopes of cultivating players, just as European teams have done for years.

Despite all that allure, Rugg hasn't decided to leave his current club team, F.C. Blazers, which is competing in the US Youth Soccer Region I Championships in Portland, Maine, this weekend.

Rugg has played with most of the Blazers for the last three years and he credits his coach for his most recent progress.

"It would be hard to leave my Blazers team and go to the Revolution," he says.

The fleet-footed forward has another big decision to make this summer: where to play college ball. Currently carrying a 3.09 GPA at The Rivers School in Weston, Rugg will graduate next year and hopes to attend Boston University, Boston College, the University of Connecticut, Villanova, or Providence on an athletics scholarship.

Tryouts for the Revolution's youth teams attracted 600 youngsters to Foxborough.

Pablo Espinola and Homero Morais, both of Somerville, were also among the final 40.

JUSTIN A. RICE